Clarence A. Willhite

1920 - 2015

Clarence Amos Willhite, 95, was born on April 27, 1920, in Pontiac, Mich., and went home on Nov. 2, 2015. He was born in Michigan, and made his way to Alaska as quickly as possible through service in the Army/Air Force in the 1940s. He stayed and worked Civil Service at missile sites and water treatment plant for 27 years before retiring, when he earned a real estate license working at Dynamic Realty, then brokered for Busy Bee Realty. He then drove a school bus for the Anchorage School District. He loved kids! When he aged out, he drove a bus for the tourist industry. A hard working man, he married Patricia L. Steward and together they raised three children: Vicki, Bonnie and Scott. He attended every school concert, recital, tea party, style show and ROTC function. He served as chaperon on West High band trips to Fairbanks and band boosters for West and Dimond High. He was an avid hunter, providing caribou and moose meat for his family. As he aged, he spent summers in Alaska, parking his RV at the Senior Center and worked part time as a grounds keeper. In the winters, he traveled cross country visiting family and friends. As health and memory escaped him, an assisted living center near his daughter in Texas was his residence, but his sourdough heart never left the northern territory he helped build into the 49th state! Staff and residents are familiar with his many stories and affectionately called him "Mr. Alaska." He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys; second wife, Patricia Lee Steward Willhite Goodnight; third wife, Doris June Willhite; brothers, Chester, James and Kenneth Willhite; great-granddaughter, Morgan Davis; and numerous friends and in-laws. He is survived by his daughter, Vicki Kaye Willhite Sims and husband Joe; daughter, Bonnie Lee Willhite Shugart and husband Merle; son, Scott L. Willhite and wife Allison; grandchildren, Aaron M. Sims, Kristi Sims Chandler and husband Joe, Amanda Shugart, Andrew Shugart and wife Heather, Scott Shugart and wife Cindy and Kyle McAfee (Willhite); and great-grandchildren Reagan Shugart, Cassidy, Elizabeth and Emma Shugart and Alexandra Chandler. In lieu of a memorial or flowers, he would desire donations to the Youth and Children's programs at Northside Baptist Church at 2800 N. Beaton Corsicana, Texas, sending kids to camp that cannot otherwise afford to go.